In the past year, an estimated 25 percent of Americans have not read even one book
according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll conducted in August 2007. With declining
book readership will come a natural decline in the number of children who read books.
When parents do not read, then they are failing to introduce their children to reading, and
the above poll results do not bode well for the future of reading. Reading, however, is a
choice, and parents can choose to build upon the promotion of reading as provided by
schools.
Schools make children read books, but this lacks the impact of parental guidance.
In school, reading books is homework, which, for many children, saps any potential
attractiveness from the activity. To make matters worse, school curriculums typically
select books that are not exactly going to get children excited about reading. I had to read
"Great Expectations" in high school and that was certainly a chore. And English teachers
are always thinking that their pupils will like reading "Romeo and Juliet" because
supposedly teens want to read about young love that results in death.
Schools put in a good effort to teach children to read books, but they rarely succeed
in imparting enthusiasm for reading. Taking a test or writing a report about your favorite
novel would take some of the joy out it.
Parents are the ones who can teach the love of reading. Movies and video games
offer big competition, but with the right approaches, you can show your children that
nothing beats a good book.
1. Make movies an ally. A movie that your child likes can provide a great segue
into reading. The Harry Potter series offers a good example. Of course, the book readers
go to the movies, but some of the moviegoers decided to subsequently read the books.
Star Wars provides another example. There are many more Star Wars books than movies.
2. Don't overlook nonfiction. Many people mistakenly think that only fiction can
inspire the love of reading. Numerous nonfiction books can be very interesting to
children. Books on planets, dinosaurs, animals, cars, planes, skyscrapers, and so forth can
satisfy children's shifting stages of curiosity. Nonfiction books can be very interesting and
teach children that fascinating and useful information awaits them within books.
3. Let your children's interests guide you. Forcing your children to read subject
matter interesting to you but not to them can backfire. They will wonder why you think it
is so important to bore them. If your son likes football, find him a book related to
football. If you daughter enjoyed a visit to a museum, pick up one of the books at the
museum gift shop.
4. Magazines and newspapers count too. You can do a lot of reading without
cracking open a book. Most magazine subscriptions cost very little for a year's worth of
reading, and the same is true of newspapers. Or, you can vary topics by buying them at a
newsstand. Most grocery stores have a modest newsstand. Try letting the kids pick out a
magazine while you assess avocados.
5. Read to your children. This advice applies from the beginning. You start with
picture books with your baby and work your way up. As your kids advance into grade
school and beyond, reading a whole book to them might not be practical, but you can still
read to them an interesting article in a magazine or a portion of a book that you find
meaningful. By reading to your children, you link the activity to the warmth and closeness
of parental attention and love.
6. Go to your library. Libraries are full of books and full of people enthusiastic
about books. Most libraries have areas and activities meant to promote reading to
children, even toddlers. Take advantage of these resources. Regular visits to the library
will allow you to direct a constant stream of fresh reading materials into your home at no
cost. Libraries will also impress upon your children that books are an important and
valued element of society.
7. Schedule family reading time. Just like you have soccer game days and movie
night, plan reading into your activity schedule. It can be nice for the family to sit around
and read quietly for a while. Discuss with each other what you are reading too.
8. Give books as gifts. You can give your children books as gifts and buy books for
other people. This will demonstrate the value you place on books.
9. Join a book club. Book clubs provide a good method for strengthening the habit
of reading.
10. Set a good example. Your children need to see you reading. They need to see
that it is a regular part of your existence that you enjoy and value. You have to do more
than just read to them. You have to incorporate reading into your life so that your children
will believe that the importance you place on reading is sincere.
Many of the above tips were provided by Reading Is Fundamental, the largest
nonprofit literacy organization in the United States. Its website
www.rif.org is full of
advice to help parents create "literacy-rich homes."
Teaching your children to enjoy reading requires commitment, but everything about
it will be enjoyable and enriching. While keeping your home filled with books and
magazines, you will learn and be entertained. And, gradually, you will get to see your
children come to appreciate reading. Television really does not offer much that is worth
watching. You probably will have to fight and win some battles to limit video game use,
but the stakes are too high to allow your children to grow up without an appreciation for
reading - the world's most affordable and interesting activity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fiction series are excellent sources of entertainment and they encourage the habit of
reading. The Rys Chronicles fantasy books are a complete series written by Tracy Falbe.
http://www.braveluck.com
